Blatche is back!

Preparations by Team Pilipinas for the last window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers got a much-needed boost with the return of naturalized big man Andray Blatche to the pool.

Blatche, who has seen action in six Asian Qualifiers matches, is currently averaging 11.7 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. He flew in a few days ago and reportedly looked good in his first practice sessions under head coach Yeng Guiao.

The 32-year-old former Washington Wizard and Brooklyn Net is certainly no longer as agile as before and cannot really embarrass opponents one-on-one like in the past, but it’s good to see how he has found other ways to be productive like dominating on the boards and protecting the basket.

His size and versatility were sorely missed in the previous window when our boys suffered twin heartbreaks at the hands of Kazakhstan and Iran.

And to think that both of those were home games and that both the Kazakhs and Iranians weren’t at full strength!

Those were definitely two golden opportunities that should have put one foot in the World Cup already, but instead we now find ourselves facing two must-win situations on the road.

Fortunately, we should have better chances to get wins in the next window with Blatche in tow and with another veteran — RR Pogoy – back in action.

It’s easy to imagine a Philippine team bannered by Blatche and five-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo do well in the final window, much more as they will be flanked by Pogoy, Marcio Lassiter, Gabe Norwood, and recent Govs’ Cup Finals MVP Mark Barroca, who last played for the national team in 2011.

It won’t be easy, though. One of the factors beyond the control of coach Yeng, Blatche,and the rest of the team is the climate.

Remember that Team Pilipinas first goes to Doha to play Qatar, which had been eliminated from World Cup contention. The temperature then is projected to be around 22 degrees, which isn’t too bad. But when they move on to Astana, Kazakhstan, the boys will be playing in -6 degree weather, which may potentially have an adverse effect on their conditioning.

Still, with Blatche now back, Team Pilipinas will surely be bigger and deeper than either Kazakhstan or Qatar. Our team should be the favorites to get two huge wins in the next window and make it back to the World Cup.